Wheel-tire.



No. 812,759. PATENTED FEB. 13, 1906.

' W. A. LOUDON.

; WHEEL-TIRE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1. 1903. RENEWED JAN. 16, 1905.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 1. 1903; RENEWED JAN. 16, 1905.

PATENTED FEB. 13; 1906.

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flu /2747 MZZL'QIZZ/ r/ louaion/ ca a? UNITED STATES PAENT ()FFIUE.

WILLIAM A. LOUDON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WbiEEL-TlFIE= Application T (1, whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TN'ILLIAM A. Lennon, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illi nois, haveinvented a new and useful Wheel- Tire, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in wheel-tires in which a pluralityof blocks of fibrous material, preferably wood, are ar rangedcircuinferentially around the wheelfelly or iron tire, and relatesparticularly to the manner of fastening the blocks to the wheel and tothe arrangement of the blocks on the wheel; and the objects of myinvention are,'first, to rovide a good traction-surface; second, tournish a cheap, simple, and durable tire; third, to facilitate the easyand quick repair of the tire, and, fourth, to pro: vide a plurality ofrows of blocks side by side circumferentially arranged around the wheel.I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wheelembodying my invention. Fig. 1 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of a fragment of the wheel shown in Fig. 1 on an enlargedscale. Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is an elevation of theinner faces of the segmental plates as they appear when attached to awheel. Fig. 5 is an elevation of one form of clamping-ring used tosecure the tire on the wheel. Fig. 5" is a side elevation of anotherform of clamping-ring used to secure the tire on the wheel. Fig. 6 is aperspective view of one of the wooden blocks detached. Figs. 7, 8, and 9are cross-sections similar to Fig. 3 of modified forms of construction.Fig. 10 is a fragmental longitudinal section through a wheel-rim,showing a modification; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of stillanother modification.

Similar numerals refer to identical parts throughout the several views.

The wheel 15 consists of the ordinary hub 16, spokes 17, and felly 18,around which. is fitted the iron band or tire 19. Resting against thisiron band are the blocks 20,which I at present consider best to be madeof wood, but may be of any material. The blocks are substantially squarein cross-section, one end of each block resting against the iron band 19and the other end of each block extending out radially, subjected to thetraction wear. To attain the necessary width of tractionsurface, Iprovide a plurality of cir- Fatented Feb. 13, 1905.

filed May 1,1903. Renewed January 16. 1905. Serial No. 241,352.

E cuniferential rows of blocks, which is one of the features of myinvention. Another feature of my invention is to have the ends of theblocks resting against a flat iron band, thus presenting a firm evensurface for the blocks to abut against and making the blocks allinterchangeable, so that a block taken from a supply on hand can beinserted wherever a block has been worn away or displaced. The blocks 20can be secured in their position by any suitable means. I have shownwhat I at present consider best adapted for the purpose. I prefer tohave the iron band 19 integral with a side clamping-ring 21 as seen inFigs. 3 and 5, forming substantially a T- shaped iron band. A'portion ofthe ring 21 rests against the side of the felly 18 and a portion clampsthe blocks 20 in a manner to be described. The outer edge of the ring 21is peened over inwardly, as at 22, to insure better contact with theadjoining blocks. On the opposite side of the felly I provide segmentalclamping plates 23, which when placed in position side by side form aring similar to the ring 21, and they have their outer edges peenedinwardly, as at 24, to insure better contact with the adjoining blocks.A groove or recess is preferably provided on the inner face of theplates 23, into which fits the band 19. 21 and the plates 23 against theblocks 20, a bolt 26 is provided, preferably passing adjacent to theiron band 19, the base of the blocks being partly cut away to permit ofsuch passage of said bolt, with its head on the outside of the ring 21and its nut on the outside of the plate 23. Asufiicient numberof bolts26 are used to securely hold the parts together.

The two outer rows of blocks 20, which are adjacent to the ring 21 andthe plates 23, are engaged. b the inner faces of such ring and plates anby their respective peened-over edges 22 and 24 and are thus absolutelyprevented from displacement. To prevent the displacement of theintervening rows of blocks 20 and to hold the same in position, Iprovide the clenching-rings 27 between the rows of blocks. Each ring 27is provided on its periphery with a bead or lateral projecting rim 28,which impinges the adjacent wooden blocks when the nuts are turned onthe bolts 26 to force the rows of the blocks together. The rings 27serve as washers between the rows of blocks and fit loosely over theband 19 and are cut away sufficiently to permit the free passage of thebolts 26.

To securely clamp the ring To assemble the parts, the band or tire 19,with its integral ring 21, is secured around the felly 18 of the Wheelin the ordinary manner. Then the wheel being preferably laid fiat withthe ring 21 downward, the bolts 26 are inserted through the holesprovided for the same in the ring 21. N ext the first row of blocks 20is laid around the band 19 on the ring 21. Then the first clamping-ring27 is slid over the band 19 and laid on the first row of blocks. Nextanother row of blocks 20 is laid around the band 19 on the clamping-ring27, and so on, alternating a row of blocks 20 and a clamping-ring 27until the whole Width of the tire is complete. Of course the width ofthe tire is predetermined, so that a certain number of rows of blocksand rings will just fill the space between the ring 21 and the plates23. The blocks 20 may or may not have the grooves 29 cut therein toreceive the portions 22, 24, and 28. Finally, the segmental plates 23are laid into position, and the nuts are screwed tightly upon the bolts26, thus clamping all the blocks between the ring 21 and the plates 23.

In Fig. 7 is shown the ordinary construction of the wheel having thefolly 18 surrounded by the iron tire or band 19 and my invention appliedthereto by providing a separate ring 21, having the peened-over edge 22,on the one side of the telly and the segmental plates 23, having thepeened-over edge 24, on the other side of the felly. In thisconstruction I prefer to use the additional bolts 30, passing throughthe folly, besides the bolts 26 to clamp the blocks 20 between the ring21 and the plates 23. I have also shown in Fig. 7 that instead of usingthe flat washer-like rings 27 I may employ the rings 31, which do notcontact with the band 19, but simply rest against'the beveled ortion ofthe adjoining sides of the rows of b ocks, and thus prevent any radialdisplacement of the blocks 20.

In Fig. 8 is shown a wheel having its felly 18 surrounded by a tire orband 19, having integral therewith the two clampin -fianges 32, whichsubstantially correspon to the ring 21 and plates 23 in far as thatportion 20 are clamped is concerned. The clamping flanges 32 areprovided with the peened-over edges 33, similar to the edges 22 and 24,previously referred to. In'the construction shown in Fig. 8 the blocks20 are clamped in position and prevented from any radial displacement bysmall rods or cables 34 being forced in against the beveled adjacentsides of the rows of blocks, any convenient means (not shown) beingprovided to shorten the rows or cables 34.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate one mode of ating my tire to a metallic wheel.The rim the Wheel being metallic has tach .19 of integral l therewiththe clamping flanges 32. The blocks are arranged in rows and are clampedinto position by the bolts 35, which have their screw-threadedendsprojecting through the iron band or rim 19 and their other endsterminating in wedge-shaped bars 36, which are arranged to slightlyoverlap at the ends, as shown in Fig. 10, and contact with the beveledportion of the adjacent sides of the rows of blocks and tend to separatethe rows of blocks when the nuts are turned on the screw-threaded endsof the bolts 35, thus wedging the blocks tightly between the flanges 32,against which the two outer rows of blocks rest.

It is obvious that the wooden blocks 20 could, if preferred, be securedto the metallic wheel by having only one of the flanges 32 integral withthe rim 19 and segmental plates to take the place of the other flangewith a number of bolts connecting the flange with the segmental plates,substantially as shown in Fig. 3, or the wooden blocks 20 may be securedto the metallic Wheel by having a separate clamping-ring on one side ofthe rim 19 and the segmental plates on the other side connected bybolts, as shown in Fig. 7. It is also to be understood that I may useany means for holding the blocks in position and from being displacedradially; but I prefer using some one of the constructions shown. Solong as a plurality of rows of blocks are secured to the periphery of awheel, no. matter what means are used for securing the same in place,the construction is within the meaning and scope of my invention,providing, however, that such blocks are capable of being removedseparately and of being replaced by new blocks. I

In Fig. 11 is shown still another modified formof constructin blocks onthe periphery of a wheel, each Iflock 20 being tapered slightly andinserted in a collar 37, which is secured to the rim 19 of thewheel bybolts or screws passing through the cars 38.

y my improved wheel-tire the wearingsurface is wood or other material,if prefer able, and is capable of being removed and re-' placed in smallsections. The great advantage of this construction is to provide acushion-tread and means whereby when a certain portion of the tirebecomes damaged only that portion of the tire which is damaged need bereplaced, thus making use of every portion of the tire until it is wornout.

I am aware that previous to my invention wooden tires have been used anddo not claim the idea of usingwood for tires broadly; but 2 What I doclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a wheel-tire the combination of a metallic band; a lurality ofcircumferential rows of wooden hlocks and means for securing said blocksin position, said means com- I prising side flanges and clamps capableof radial adjustment between said. rows of blocks.

'2. In a wheel-tire the combination of a plurality of circumferentialrows of wooden blocks; a clamping-ring on one side of said rows,segmental clamping-plates on the opposite side of said rows,circumferential clamping-rings between said rows, and. screw-boltsconnecting said clamping-rings and clampingplates. v

3.. In a wheel-tire the combination of a plurality of circumferentialrows of wooden blocks ;-a clamping-ring integral with a metallic band;segmental clamping-plates provided with a recess to receive the edge ofsaid band; claniping-rings provided with lateralextendingcircumferential fianges,between the said rows; and clamping-boltssubstantially as specified.

' 4. In a wheel-tire the combination of a band, a plurality ofcircumferential rows of blocks and means for securing said blocks inposition, said means comprising side flames and clamps capable oflateral adjustment etween said blocks.

5. In a wheel-tire the combination of a plurality of circumferentialrows of blocks, a clamping-ring on one side of said rows, a clampingring on the other side of said. rows, clamping means between said rows,and screw-bolts connecting said two clampingrings.

6. In a wheel-tire the combination of a plurality of circumferentialrows of blocks, a clamping-ring integral with a bandlon one side of saidblocks, a clamping-ring on the other side of said blocks,clamping-plates between said rows of blocks and clampingbolts connectingsaid two clamping-rings.

7. A wheel-tire comprising a plurality of circumferential rows of blocksresting on. a circumferential band and circumferential plates capable oflateral adjustment on said band between said rows of blocks and. meansfor securing said blocks, band and plates together.

8. A wheel-tire comprising a plurality of circumferential rows of blocksresting against a band, a plurality of fastening-pieces capa ble oflateral adjustment to said band located between said rows of blocks forsecuring said blocks in position and. means for clamping said blocks tosaid band.

9. In a wheel-tire a plurality of circumferential rows of blocks restingon a band and annular bands capable of lateral adjustment on said bandbetween said. rows of blocks and means for clamping said rows of blocksto gether laterally.

10. In a wheel-tire, a plurality of circumferential rows of blocksresting against a band, a lurality of fastening-pieces capable oflatersil adjustment to said band located between said rows of'blocks,and means for clamping said rows of blocks together latera y.

11. In a wheel-tire the combination of a band, a plurality ofcircumferential rows of blocks and means for securing said blocks inposition on said band, said means comprising side flanges, metallicpieces secured against radial displacement between said blocks andclamping-bolts.

12. In a wheel-tire the combination of a plurality of circumferentialrows of blocks, clamping-rings on either side of said rows, washersprovided with lateral extensions between said rows and screw-boltsconnecting said two clamping-rings.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

. WILLIAM A. LOUDON.

Witnesses:

R. J. JAoKER, A. U. DECKER.

